Printer&#39;s tool



Oct. 18, 1938. W. a EDY 2,133,501

PRINTER S TOOL Filed Nov. 13, 1937 INVENTOR. William C. Ed

,Q'IATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 18,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to the subject of printing, and has special reference to tools and appliances which are used by printers to facilitate the compositors work in setting up type.

The invention has for its object the provision of a unitary composing or make-up rule which is practically adapted for quickly justifying type forms, for lifting column rule, border rule, page numbers, etc., for lifting cuts or tight slugs in forms, for spreading type to facilitate the insertion of leads, for removing string'from ads, and for removing burrs from linotype faces; the tool being of such size and shape as to facilitate work in narrow measures and to facilitate the work of pressmen on high leads or work-up type on flat bed presses.

operations.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent and better understood after consideration has been given to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the drawing which shows, merely by way of illustration, structure adapted for carrying out the objects of the invention.

The drawing shows a plan view of the improved tool to which this invention relates.

My improved printers combination tool is J formed from a single sheet of metal, preferably from a good quality of steel, the body I being thin and substantially fiat, having an elongated straight, sharpened base edge 2 corresponding approximately to the width of a column of type. At one side, the tool is provided with a relatively narrow arm or box heading extension 3, having an edge I, at one corner of which there is provided a t pe-lifting hook 4.

The tool is provided with a straight edge 6 at the side opposite to the arm 3. A hole is provided in the body of the tool for hanging up the tool when it is not in use.

ically produces the tool. stamped out, it may be After the tool has been hardened and tempered,

after which the edge 2 may be ground down to the desired degree of sharpness or the tool may be formed originally from a grade of steel having the desired physical characteristics.

In the preferred form of the invention, the body portion of the tool is approximately in the form of a rectangle. This particular form lends itself to convenient holding within the hand of the printer and the tool is so formed that it is equally adapted for both right and left-hand use for any of the purposes stated.

In the use of the tool, the body I is used as a make-up rule and the base or edge 2 may be used as a type spreader for inserting one or two point leads for justifying type columns. The edge 3 of the tool may be used for inserting and depressing leads above six pica ems. The edge I of the arm 3 may be used for depressing leads or spaces under six pica ems.

The hook 4 may be used to lift column rule and border rule, to remove string from forms and to raise or lift linotype slugs, page numbers, cuts, etc., from snug or tight places. These latter operations are difiicult, if not impossible, to perform with an ordinary make-up rule. The hook 4 is also useful for removing burs on linotype faces. It is also possible to use the arm 6 as a screw driver on light work around a linotype machine.

The arm or extension 6 constitutes one of the more important features of my invention. This extension enables one to work in narrow measures, such as, two, three, four or five and six pica ems without injury to the adjacent type.

It also enables a printer or pressman to justify,

make corrections or insert and shove down a thin space above measures, which operation it is practically impossible to perform with an ordinary make-up rule.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawing to which it relates, describes what might be termed the preferred modes of practicing the invention. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the invention includes each and every novel feature or combination of novel features herein disclosed, subject only to the restrictions of the prior art, and. that the invention may assume other forms and it is not to be limited to the particular and specific structure shown and described herein.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. A printers combination tool comprising a relatively thin, flat body portion having a relatively long, sharpened working edge at one side of the tool and a relatively narrow arm projecting from another side of the tool and having a hook at one corner at the terminal edge of such arm.

2. A printers combination tool or make-up rule comprising a single piece of thin fiat metal having a relatively long edge for work in wide measures and an extension or arm projecting from the body of the tool and terminating in a relatively short edge for work in narrow measures.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a printer's combination tool adapted to be stamped from sheet metal and comprising a generally rectangular make-up rule having a relatively narrow arm; projecting from one side of the body of the rule" and providing a box heading extension with a type lifting hook at one corner thereof which hook is also adapted for removing burs from Linotype slugs.

4. A printers tool or make-up rule comprising a generally rectangular piece of metal having'a relatively long base or edge for work in wide measures, another and shorter edge for work in narrower measures, and an arm or extension with a still shorter edge for work in yet narrower mease ures.

5. A printers tool or make-up rule comprising a generally rectangular, thin and flat piece of metal having a relatively long edge for work in wide measures, another and shorter edge extendlast-mentioned edge for work in yet narrower 5 measures.

6. A printers tool or make-up rule comprising a generally rectangular piece of metal having a relatively long base or edge for work in wide measures, another and shorter edge at right 10 angles to and terminating at one end in said base for work in narrower measures, an arm or extension opposite to said last-mentioned edge with a still shorter edge for work in yet narrower measures, and a hook at one corner of 1 said arm or extension.

7. A printers tool or make-up rule comprising a generally rectangular piece of metal having a relatively long base or edge for Work in wide measures, another and shorter edge at right an- 2 gles to and terminating at one end in said base for work in narrower measures, an arm or extension opposite to said last-mentioned edge with a still shorter edge for work in yet narrower measures, a hook at one corner of said arm or 2 extension, and a hole through the body of the rule for hanging up the rule when not in use.

WILLIAM C. EDY. 

